Python is a high-level, structured, open-source programming language that can be used for a wide variety of programming tasks. It is good for simple quick-and-dirty scripts, as well as complex and intriacate applications. It is an interpreted programming language that is automatically compiled into bytecode before execution (the bytecode is then normally saved to disk, just as automatically, so that compilation need not happen again until and unless the source gets changed). It is also a dynamically typed language that includes (but does not require one to use) object oriented features and constructs. Python is equally powerful language for GUI development. It is easy to understand and grasp for people new to programming in general, and fun for programmers habitual of more masochistic alternatives such as C++ and Java .
One of the reasons why I like Python is that it provides a really nice balance between the practical and the conceptual. Since Python is interpreted, beginners can pick up the language and start doing neat things almost immediately without getting lost in the problems of compilation and linking. Furthermore, Python comes with a large library of modules that can be used to do all sorts of tasks ranging from web-programming to graphics. Having such a practical focus is a great way to engage students and it allows them to complete significant projects. However, Python can also serve as an excellent foundation for introducing important computer science concepts. Since Python fully supports procedures and classes, students can be gradually introduced to topics such as procedural abstraction, data structures, and object-oriented programming—all of which are applicable to later courses on Java or C++. Python even borrows a number of features from functional programming languages and can be used to introduce concepts that would be covered in more detail in courses on Scheme and Lisp.
Python provides a powerful assortment of built-in types (e.g., lists, dictionaries and strings), a number of built-in functions, and a few constructs, mostly statements. For example, loop constructs that can iterate over items in a collection instead of being limited to a simple range of integer values. Python also comes with a powerful standard library, which includes hundreds of modules to provide routines for a wide variety of services including regular expressions and TCP/IP sessions. Python can integrate with COM, .NET, and CORBA objects.
For Java libraries, use Jython, an implementation of Python for the Java Virtual Machine.
For .NET, try IronPython , Microsoft’s new implementation of Python for .NET, or Python for .NET.
Python is also supported for the Internet Communications Engine (ICE) and many other integration technologies.
If you find something that Python cannot do, or if you need the performance advantage of low-level code, you can write extension modules in C or C++, or wrap existing code with SWIG or Boost.Python. Wrapped modules appear to your program exactly like native Python code. That’s language integration made easy. You can also go the opposite route and embed Python in your own application, providing your users with a language they’ll enjoy using. Python is available for all major operating systems: Windows, Linux/Unix, OS/2, Mac, Amiga, among others. There are even versions that run on .NET, the Java virtual machine, and Nokia Series 60 cell phones. You’ll be pleased to know that the same source code will run unchanged across all implementations.
A lot of information on python and its tutorials are available on the official python website: www.python.org
Since it an OSI cerified language it is free to use and develop.
Installing Python in Windows
Go to http://www.python.org/download/ or the ActiveState website[1] (http://activestate.com) and get the proper version for your platform. Download it, read the instructions and get it installed.
In order to run Python from the command line, you will need to have the python directory in your PATH.
Alternatively, you could use an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for Python like DrPython[2]
Installing Python in Unix
Python is standard equipment in many Unix-like operating systems; just type whichto check for it. If python present, it may not be the latest, but it should be enough to get you started.
If it’s not installed, check your operating system’s web page for the proper package. Failing that, you will need to download the appropriate file from http://www.python.org/download or the ActiveState website (http://activestate.com) . If you decide to compile Python from source, make sure you compile in the tk extension if you want to use IDLE.
On Debian based Linux systems, you can download it by starting the command line, changing to the superuser mode using su – and then by typing apt-get install python.
